Gas-blast circuit interrupters with lateral venting action

ABSTRACT

A gas-blast type of circuit interrupter is provided having an arcing chamber of insulating material with rows of lateral venting slots, serving as splitters. A cluster of stationary contact fingers within the arcing chamber make separating engagement with a tubular movable contact. A stationary hollow insulating arc plug is provided interiorly of the arcing chamber, within which gas is forced to flow. The arcing plug has lateral inlet slots provided therein, which emit arcing gas under pressure into the interior of the arcing chamber and laterally outwardly across the arc, and radially outwardly through the lateral slots provided in the stationary insulating arcing chamber. The arc is moved by the radial outward blast to be forced against the arcing splitters provided by the sidewalls of the stationary insulating arcing chamber. As an alternate arrangement, a side lateral dump is provided adjacent an elongated arcing contact finger, at which the arc is constantly drawn. This prevents the accumulation of stagnant ionized gases and arc products, which may otherwise accumulate in the pocket surrounding the annular stationary contact finger assembly.

United States Patent [72] lnventors Charles F. Cromer;

Ronald W. Crookston, Trafford, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 769,246 [22] Filed Oct. 21,1968 [45] Patented Jan. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee Wesfinghouse Electric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa. a corporation of Pennsylvania {54] GAS-BLAST CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS WITH LATERAL VENTING ACTION 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 200/148, ZOO/144, ZOO/148 [51] Int. Cl H0lh 33/80 [50] Field ol'Search ZOO/148, 148.3,148.2,144,148.5,148.6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,333,598 11/1943 Strom 200/148 2,459,599 1/1949 Strom ZOO/148(2) 3,154,658 10/1964 Colclaser,Jr.,etal. ZOO/148(2) 3,291,948 12/1966 Telford ZOO/148 3,356,809 12/1967 Colclaser,Jr..etal........ ZOO/148(8) Primary ExaminerRobert S. Macon AttorneysA. T. Stratton, C. L. McHale and W. R. Crout ABSTRACT: A gas-blast type of circuit interrupter is pro; vided having an arcing chamber of insulating material with rows of lateral venting slots, serving as splitters. A cluster of stationary contact fingers within the arcing chamber make separating engagement with a tubular movable contact. A stationary hollow insulating arc plug is provided interiorly of the arcing chamber, within which gas is forced to flow. The arcing plug has lateral inlet slots provided therein, which emit arcing gas under pressure into the interior of the arcing chamber and laterally outwardly across the arc, and radially outwardly through the lateral slots provided in the stationary insulating arcing chamber. The arc is moved by the radial outward blast to be forced against the arcing splitters provided by the sidewalls of the stationary insulating arcing chamber. 5

As an alternate arrangement, a side lateral dump is provided adjacent an elongated arcing contact finger, at which the arc is constantly drawn. This prevents the accumulation of stagnant ionized gases and are products, which may otherwise accumulate in the pocket surrounding the annular stationary contact finger assembly.

PATENTEDJANIZIQH. 3555,22?

SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTORS Charles F. Cromer and Ronald W. Crookston.

ATTORNEY PATENTEU JAN 1 219?! sum 2 or 4 PATENTED JAN 1 2197i SHEEI u 0F 4 POSI'HON GAS-BLAST CIRCUIT INTERRUP'IERS WITH LATERAL VENTING ACTION CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Applicants are not aware of any related applications pertinent to the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been common heretofore in dual-pressure types of compressed-gas circuit interrupters to provide an arcing chamber of insulating material, which encloses stationary contact fingers and into which is moved a movable tubular contact during the closing operation. US. Pat. No. 3,154,658 issued Oct. 27, 1964 to Robert G. Colclaser, Jr. and Russell N. Yeckley, and asigned to the assignee of the instant application, is typical of such types of circuit breakers. It will be noted that in such types of circuit breakers, an axial flow of corn pressed gas ensues. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a distinct purpose of the present invention to provide an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter in which the arcextinguishing gas is vigorously forced by pressure directly laterally across the arc column. It is believed that the amount of gas used for interruption will be much less than that utilized in present devices, such as set forth above in US. Pat. No. 3,154,658. The outward gas flow causes the arcing column to be moved laterally across the arcing splitters, provided by the stationary insulating arcing chamber having the lateral slots provided therein, as proposed in the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tubular movable contact enters an arcing chamber in the closed position, and surrounds a stationary interior arcing plug, which has gas flowing therethrough during the opening operation.

The movable tubular contact makes separable engagement with a cluster of stationary contact fingers, which engage the outside of the movable tubular contact in the closed-circuit position of the device. During the opening operation, the movable tubular contact moves out of the arcing chamber, and the arcing plug directs a radial outward flow of arc-extinguishing gas laterally through the arc, and radially outwardly through the lateral vents provided by the stationary insulating arcing chamber.

As an alternate form of the invention, a side dump, or lateral vent is disposed adjacent an elongated stationary arcing contact finger, which definitely positions the are by virtue of its length adjacent the point of the lateral side dump.

In both forms of arcing chambers, the venting slots are provided, preferably, entirely around the entire circumference of the arcing chamber to provide a radial outward gas flow on all sides of the arcing chamber.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter having improved gas-flow conditions, and preferably using less gas than has been required heretofore. Obviously, this means less compressor operation, and less volume of ionized are products emitted into the general interior of the interrupter tank following interruption. Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved insulating arcing chamber for a compressed-gas type of circuit interrupter.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved arcing chamber for a compressed-gas circuit interrupter, in which the entering gas flow is positively directed in a highly efficient manner.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter in which the position of the are within a laterally vented arcing chamber is positively determined.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved arcing chamber for a compressed-gas circuit intill" lating material positively directs the entering gas flow, and preferably telescopes within the movable tubular contact in the closed position.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter having an improved arcing chamber in which the arcing chamber provides a plurality of spaced annular arcing splitters for providing spaced points of highly efficient deionization arcing action.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading the following specification taken in con junction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an end elevational view of a multipole high-power circuit interrupter embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the tank structures of the circuit interrupter of FIG. 1, illustrating the internally disposed arc-extinguishing assemblage, such assemblage being illustrated in the closed-circuit position;

FIG. 3 is a considerably enlarged substantially vertical sectional view taken through the right-hand circuit-interrupting unit of the arc-extinguishing assemblage illustrated in FIG. 2, the contact structure being illustrated in the partly open-circuit position;

FIG. 4 is a considerably enlarged view taken through the arcing chamber illustrating more clearly the gas-flow conditions during circuit interruption;

FIG. 5 is a developed view of the arcing chamber of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through a modified type of arcing chamber illustrating a different arc plug and interrupting chamber construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a threepole multiphase, double-pressure compressed-gas circuit interrupter. FIG. I illustrates an end view of the structure, and consequently only the end tank 2 is shown. A mechanism housing 3 is disposed at the end of the three breaker tanks 2 and encloses a suitable operating mechanism, not shown, which is effective to simultaneously actuate the arc-extinguishing assemblages 4 (FIG. 2) disposed interiorly of the tank structures 2. 1

Extending downwardly interiorly within the tank structures 2 are pairs of terminal bushings 5, 6, which serve to carry the controlled circuit into the tanks 2. The tanks 2 and the mechanism housing 3 are supported upon steel beams 7 supported upon a concrete foundation 8. Preferably the ends of the tanks 2 contain hinged covers 10, 11, which permit inspection within the tank structures 2.

With reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that supported at the lower ends 12, 13, of the terminal bushings 5, 6, respectively, are supported castings l4, 15, which fixedly support into position the arc-extinguishing assemblage 4.

The arc-extinguishing assemblage 4 generally comprises a plurality of serially related arc-interrupting units 16 of the gasblast type, the configuration of which is more readily apparent from an inspection of FIG. 3 of the drawings. Disposed adjacent the right-hand end of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 4 is a high-pressure storage tank 17. A blast-valve mechanism 18 is operable to control the blasting of gas out of the highpressure storage tank 17 and toward the three gas-blast interrupting units 16 to effect are extinction thereat.

The movable contact assemblage 20 generally comprises a pair of outer longitudinally extending insulating operating rods 21, which are bridged by crossbars 22 (FIG. 3), to the terrupter, in which a centrally positioned pit/15], of taste middle portions of which are fixedly secured the movable contacts 23, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3. The tubular contact 23 makes engagement with a stationary contact structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 2%. it will be observed with reference to HO. 3, that the relatively stationary contact structure 24 comprises a cluster of finger contacts 25.

In the closed-circuit position, indicated by the dotted lines 26, it will be observed that the movable contact 2.3 makes good contacting engagement with the stationary contact fingers 27.

With further reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that an opening accelerating spring 28 biases the movable contact as semblage toward the left in an opening direction. This movement is resisted by the tension exerted by an operating rod 29 formed of insulating material, and interconnecting the movable contact assemblage 20 with an external operating mechanism disposed within mechanism compartment 3'. Reference may be had to US. Pat. No. 3,057,983, issued to Russell N. Yeckley, Joseph Sucha and Benjamin P. Baker, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, for a minute and detailed description of the several parts associated with such mechanism. For the purpose of understanding the present invention, however, it is only necessary to know that operation of the blast-valve mechanism 18 is operable to force the blast valve 30 (FIG. 3) toward the right, away from its seat 31 and permit the blasting of gas in the direction indicated by the arrows 32. The gas blast not only blasts into the first interrupting unit 16, but also passes down a plurality of insulating blast tubes 33, 34 and into the adjacent gas-blast interrupting units 16 to effect are extinction therein. The arrangement is such that sufi'icient gas-blast pressure exists simultaneously in all three interrupting units 16 at the time of actual contact parting. As a result, simultaneous extinguishing action is exerted within each of the interrupting units 16.

Reference may be had to US. Pat. No. 3,164,704 issued Jan. 5, 1965 to Rusell N. Yeckley, Joseph Sucha and Roswell C. Van Sickle, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, for a description of the blast-valve mechanism The operation of this blast-valve mechanism l8 forms no part of the present invention, and consequently a description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

With reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that a pair of insulating tie bars 36 mechanically interconnect the end clamp castings 14, 15, and serve to fixedly secure into proper position the stationary contact structure 24, associated with each of the gas-blast interrupting units M5. in addition, it will be observed that the stationary contact structures 2 associated with the middle and left-hand interrupting units lid, contain rightwardly extending relatively stationary contact fingers 38, which serve to guide the adjacently disposed movable contacts 23, and to carry current therefrom to the adjacent stationary contact structure 24 of the adjacent unit llti.

During the opening operation, the mechanism, not shown, disposed interiorly within the mechanism housing 3, is unlatched to thereby permit the crankshaft 39 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Because of the biasing action exerted by the opening accelerating spring 28, the entire movable contact assemblage 20,- comprising the plurality of movable contacts 23, interconnected by the insulating tie bars, will move as a unit toward the left in a circuit-opening direction. The gas will flow under pressure interiorly of the several stationary insulating arcing plugs 41, as shown more clearly in H6. d and across the established are 42, and outwardly through the lateral vents 44 provided by the slots in the stationary insulating arcing, or interrupting chamber 46. The are 42 may be established anywhere around the arcing chamber 46, but regardless of the point where it is established, it will be subjected to a lateral blasting of the high-pressure arc-extinguishing gas outwardly through the slots 47 provided by the stationary insulating arcing plugs 41.

In more detail, as the contacts part, the arc d2 is established at some position around the periphery of the arcing plug ll. The presence of this arcing plug controls the location of the are column 42. The slots 47 in the arcing plug 41 admit the gas flow into the arcing region 39 at a predetermined time, as determined by the slot locations 47 with respect to the moving contact position.

The gas flow occurs through the arcing space 49, driving the are 42 into the vents, or the arcing splitters 50 and through the vents 52 in the interrupting chamber 46 into the main interior of the tank 2. After the are 42 is extinguished (by the time position 1 is reached) the contacts continue to separate, and form an isolating break of gaseousrnedia (position 2). FIG. 4 shows the basic design with 360 blasting and venting. FIG. 7 showed a modified blasting and venting arrangement which possibly might be more efficient. in this latter arrangement, one of the stationary contact fingers 25 is lengthened and reinforced with arc-resistant material to act as the main arcing contact 25A. if the circuit breaker would be of the loop type, not shown in FlG. l, the finger 25A would be on the outside of the magnetic loop in order to locate the are 42 when the contacts part, and more effectively-locate the arcing when the magnetic forces keep it in the outer portions of the loop. On all designs, the venting slots 52 are staggered by rows to avoid stagnant gas pockets, reference being had to FIG. 5 in this connection.

As an alternate form of the invention, FIG. 7 indicates a modification in which a lateral side dump, or vent 54 is provided to purge the stagnant ionized gases and arcing products, which may accumulate in the pocket 56 surrounding the stationary contact assembly 24.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view through the interrupting chamber 46 showing the diverging blast and vent slots 52. These also could be a series of holes of other shapes, if desired.

Although there has been illustrated and described specific embodiments of the invention, it is to be clearlyunderstood that the same were merely for the purpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may be readily -made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

"We claim:

ll. A circuit interrupter of the compressed-gas type comprising, in combination:

a. means defining an insulating arcing chamber having a plurality of circumferentially disposed lateral slots provided therein;

b. stationary contact means disposed interiorly within said arcing chamber;

c. a movable tubular contact adaptable for moving into and from the arcing chamber and into engagement with said stationary contact structure; and

. a hollow arcing plug stationary with respect to said arcing chamber and having a. plurality of inlet slots provided therein, whereby gas may flow into the annular region externally of the arcing plug and radially outwardly through the slots provided within the arcing chamber for efficient arc-extinguishing action.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the stationary contact structure comprisesa plurality of stationary contact fingers.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein one of the contact fingers is lengthened.

4. The combination according toclaim 3, wherein a lateral side dump is provided within the wall of the arcing chamber adjacent the elongated arcing contact finger.

The combination according to claim ll, wherein the outer surface of the arcing plug is rippled to improve the voltagewithstand characteristics thereof.

in combination, a movable tubular contact making separable engagement with a plurality of stationary contact fingers, an arcing plug telescopically arranged to enter into the movable contact in the closed-circuit position, an arcing chamber having a plurality of lateral slots provided therein, and the arcing plug having somewhat registering slots to provide a radial outward flow.

8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the slots provided by the arcing chamber extend all of the circumferential distance thereabout and in addition are staggered. 

1. A circuit interrupter of the compressed-gas type comprising, in combination: a. means defining an insulating arcing chamber having a plurality of circumferentially disposed lateral slots provided therein; b. stationary contact means disposed interiorly within said arcing chamber; c. a movable tubular contact adaptable for moving into and from the arcing chamber and into engagement with said stationary contact structure; and d. a hollow arcing plug stationary with respect to said arcing chamber and having a plurality of inlet slots provided therein, whereby gas may flow into the annular region externally of the arcing plug and radially outwardly through the slots provided within the arcing chamber for efficient arc-extinguishing action.
 2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the stationary contact structure comprises a plurality of stationary contact fingers.
 3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein one of the contact fingers is lengthened.
 4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein a lateral side dump is provided within the wall of the arcing chamber adjacent the elongated arcing contact finger.
 5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the arcing plug is rippled to improve the voltage-withstand characteristics thereof.
 6. In combination, a movable tubular contact making separable engagement with a plurality of stationary contact fingers, an arcing plug telescopically arranged to enter into the movable contact in the closed-circuit position, an arcing chamber having a plurality of lateral slots provided therein, and the arcing plug having somewhat registering slots to provide a radial outward gas flow.
 7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein one of the stationary contact fingers is elongated and has a lateral vent provided in the near vicinity thereof.
 8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the slots provided by the arcing chamber extend all of the circumferential distance thereabout and in addition are staggered. 